We are a Welcoming Congregation.

The Unitarian Universalist News

of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation

1875 South Fruitridge Avenue, P.O. Box 3070

Terre Haute, IN 47803

812-232-1193

uuputer@yahoo.com

www.terrehauteuu.org

AUGUST 2006 CALENDAR

EVERY SUNDAY MORNING (Except when there is no service)

9:15 A.M. Wisdom Circle

 9:15 A.M.  Rationalist Free Thinking Group
 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 Shamanism

10:30 A.M. Liz Delaney

12:00 noon Soup/Salad Sunday

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13  The Enneagram & Spirituality  

10:30 A.M. Jan Arnett

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 Double Circle Dinner

6:00 P.M.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 We’re Number Two; We Try Harder

10:30 A. M. Rev. Doddie Stone

SUNDAY AUGUST 20 Board Meeting

7:00 P.M.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27  Growing From the Ashes of Destruction

10:30 A.M. Bev Roddy

ABOUT THE AUGUST CALENDAR Every Sunday, 9:15 a.m. - Wisdom Circle A non-judgmental spiritual group that explores the journey of self-discovery through heart to heart discussion with rotating leadership. Every Sunday, 9:15 a.m. - Rationalist Free Thinking Group Discussion Group including members of the congregation as well as members of the community.  Discussion of current socio-political events and trends. Sunday, August 6 – Shamanism – Liz Delaney Sunday, August 6– Soup/Salad Sunday – Bring your favorite soup/salad/bread to share and enjoy fellowship after the service. Sunday, August 13 – The Enneagram and Spirituality Jan Arnett – will talk about the power of the ennneagram to transform human relationships Jan Arnett has been a member of the staff of ISU, in the office of the Student Affairs Division since 1970. She presently serves as the Dean of Students. She has been an active member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, serving on the Vestry as Senior Warden as well as Chalice Bearer and Lector. She became interested in the Enneagram in the mid 80’s as a way of understanding self and others. She became a certified Enneagram instructor in 1993. Sunday, August 20 –We’re Number Two; We Try Harder - Rev. Doddie Stone - We often learn some of the stories of Unitarian and Universalist men and women who did "it" for the first time. What about those who followed in number two position? Their stories are usually just as remarkable. Rev. Doddie L. Stone will share a story from Universalist history of the second woman to be ordained as a minister. She will speak about the ministry of Augusta Jane Chapin and the personal impact of Augusta's contributions beyond Universalism... Rev. Stone will also tell how Augusta's story of more than 100 years ago has influenced her own life.	Rev. Doddie Stone is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister and a strong supporter of the efforts of Service Committee. In 1995 she was with the delegation that attended the UN decade of the Woman in China. She also participated in visits to other countries that are helped by projects of the Service Committee prior to her ministry assignments on the east and west coasts Sunday, August 27- Growing From the Ashes of Destruction – Bev Roddy. Bev Roddy is originally from Kodiak Alaska. She obtained a degree of divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkley, CA. She pastured her first church there after receiving her degree. She spent 20 years in the Navy; her first ten, she was on active duty during which time she served as Chaplin to troops in Desert Storm and Bahrain. She retired from the Naval Reserve last year. She has practiced as chaplain at the Rockville Correctional facility for the last ten years. Her work there consists of general chaplainry; leading services, ministering to inmates and overseeing 20 groups of volunteers. Her work is focused on helping the inmates find hope in the face of despair growing from the ashes of destruction, working through darkness toward light, turning away from darkness to the light of growth and new life. ⃟⃟⃟⃟⃟ Any announcement listed in this newsletter, our weekly bulletin, or spoken from the pulpit is solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute an endorsement by our congregation.
SOCIAL ACTION TERRE HAUTE STOP WAR ON IRAQ is planning a fast on August 6^th at the Hiroshima memorial in Fairbanks Park. For information contact Cathy McGuire or go to:stopwaroniraq@yahoo.com. According to THE CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES (CCSS) President Brett Wagner, the CCSS is continuing to gather evidence that the U.S. government has deployed a very dangerous new form of weapon in Iraq that uses high powered microwave technology. For more information and to sign an online petition calling the U.S. Congress to oppose the development and deployment of such weapons go to: (www.TheCaliforniaCenter.org). Elisabeth Friedman àààààààà Our June 17^th Yard Sale was a great success! Some have said “one of the best ever”. Thank you all for the quality items donated and your generous donations of time. We had plenty of volunteers, plus good weather, resulting in an easy, fun and profitable sale. Thank you Doddie Stone for the book sale and the snack bar. Thank you Boy Scouts for helping with the snack bar. Thank you Kay Phillips for your good eye for special items and selling them to a dealer. We would like to hear any of your ideas for next year. Elisabeth Friedman and Robyn Morton . ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ Thoughts from the Board President‚ Remember Doddie’s sermon about Subject To Change?  Bear with me on my new approach to recognizing excellence during the Sunday Service by waving our hands in the air instead of clapping. I’ve heard a few comments that were reminiscent of Doddie’s presentation:  “We’ve never done it that way, It won’t work, to name just a few.  I have some other changes I would like to enact including the use of a few words to extinguish the chalice at the end of the service. I’m also going to ask Carolyn to put asterisks in the Sunday program to indicate when we should “rise as we are willing and able”.  That might make it more comfortable for visitors, which brings me to the last change I’ll mention:  that of me introducing myself when I start the service.  Again, most of you know who I am and why I am leading the service, but visitors don’t.  Are they thinking “Female minister, that’s OK; female minister, that’s not OK; or who is she and why didn’t she do the whole service? Again I ask you to bear with me and know that I will take input from you at nearly anytime and that my object is to especially make visitors feel welcome with the idea that they may be part of our congregation’s future. I thank you for your vote of confidence at the Annual Meeting and hope you still think you made the right decision.  I’ll pretend I’m the mayor of the group and frequently ask you “How am I doing? Sylvia JULY SUNDAY MORNING TOPICS For the 9:15 Rationalist/Freethinker Discussion Group Sunday, August 6 – “Second Law of Thermodynamics: Entropy” Sunday, August 13 – “Does Science presuppose Some Sort of Faith Assumptions, or Does it Begin By Doubting Everything?” Sunday, August 20 – “How Long Before We have to Abandon Planet Earth? – Stephen Hawking’s Assessment.” Sunday, August 27 – “A Sermon I’d Like to Preach at UUA!” Please continue to pass your suggestions for future discussions on to Ed Warner for inclusion in future plans. Thank you. ◊◊◊◊◊◊ AUGUST BIRTHDAYS!! August 01 – Jinny Hagel-Pitt August 02 - Bill Breeden August 02 – David Howard August 03 – Suzanne Overton August 14 – Nathanial Laska August 21 – Will Barratt You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~ Les Brown ~ ◊◊◊◊◊◊ Enjoy Summer Reading from the UUA Bookstore and Beacon Press! It's summer and the pace of life has slowed a little. Take time now to catch up on your summer reading with these new books! Blessing the World: What Can Save Us Now, by the Rev. Rebecca Ann Parker, edited by the Rev. Robert Hardies, is a collection of Parker's theological writings focusing on salvation and redemption. Her life's work, so eloquently displayed on these pages, is to expose the lie that violence redeems and to direct us toward the forces that repair broken life. Peace in Our Lifetime: Insights from the World's Peacemakers, by Susan Skog, offers stories of 50 exceptional peacemakers working in war zones, high-conflict organizations and neighborhoods, with a foreword by Thich Nhat Hanh. Beacon Press offers Life Work, written by Donald Hall, author of numerous prizewinning volumes of poetry including The One Day, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, essays, children's books, and criticism. His new collection of short stories, The Willow Temple, will be published by Houghton Mifflin this spring. In June 2006, Hall was named the 14th poet laureate of the United States. Mary Oliver, one of the most celebrated and best-selling poets in America, has written Blue Iris; House of Light; New and Selected Poems, Volume One; and New and Selected Poems, Volume Two. Now, Beacon is proud to offer At Blackwater Pond:  Mary Oliver Reads Mary Oliver, a new CD. Check out these and other Beacon and UUA titles now and stock your shelves for your summer vacation! First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Terre Haute Monthly Meeting of the Board of Trustees July 16, 2006 The following will be presented to the Board for approval at its next meeting.      The first meeting of the new fiscal year was called to order by chair Sylvia Oster at 7:05 p.m.  Present were Sylvia Oster, chair; Sara Laughlin, secretary; John Taylor, treasurer; Elisabeth Friedman, member-at-large; and Carolyn Brown, office administrator. Absent were Will Barratt, vice chair; Sam Martland, member-at-large; and Miren Beristain, past chair.  The Chalice was lit by Sylvia Oster who shared a brief inspirational reading.      Learning Tree Report.   It was noted that furnishings have not been moved out completely to accommodate painting which is planned for July 22.  Minutes of the June 2006 meeting were presented by Sara Laughlin.  E. Friedman moved minutes be accepted as presented.  J. Taylor seconded the motion.  Minutes were approved as presented.          Treasurer’s Report was presented by John Taylor.  He provided a written report of the pledge campaign which showed pledges had been made by 85% of the pledge units anticipated.  J. Taylor reported that a member has offered a match of up to $1,000 for pledges yet to be made as an incentive for those who have not yet pledged.   The total amount pledged is more than that of the previous year but short of the goal which would provide for a half-time minister.  A budget will be presented at the next meeting of the congregation.      Board Chair’s Comments.  Sylvia Oster reported that the agenda of the meeting of the congregation on July 23 will include the budget, election of an auditing committee, and committee reports.  She reminded those present that it continues to be the responsibility of the last board member out on Sunday to be sure all doors are locked.  She also commented on a need to confirm who is responsible for youth on Sundays and on a need to start services on time.      Office Administrator's Report.  Carolyn Brown reported that the new edition of the Directory of Members and Friends has been completed and copies are available.  She noted that having program information in time for the newsletter deadline has improved but is still not always available.  C. Brown also reported on a need for clarification of who is responsible for cleaning after special events.  It was recommended that a cleaning deposit be included in the rental agreement in addition to the damage deposit.  Items on the Master Calendar were also discussed.      Committee Reports.  S. Oster provided an update on the Ministerial Search Committee and reported that fliers were handed out at General Assembly in St. Louis regarding the search for a minister.   The congregational record has been completed making information about the search available on the UUA web site.      For the Building Committee, a question was asked regarding why the right panel of the front door is not being unlocked on Sundays.                              Social Action Committee wishes to provide a cell phone for a rural Black family who has been being harassed.                                                New board liaisons were appointed for committees without them.  E. Friedman will report for Membership/Social Activities, S. Oster for Pastoral Care, and W. Barratt for Program Committee.          New Business.  S. Oster appointed S. Laughlin and Cathie Laska to serve as co-chairs for an ad hoc committee to explore the possibility of an arts festival next year on the church's grounds.      Old Business.  Miren Beristain is merging the alcohol use policy into the rental policy.  She will be asked to include a $50 cleaning deposit to it as well.      The meeting was adjourned and the chalice extinguished at 8:25 p.m.  Respectfully submitted by Sara Laughlin, Secretary YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GREATEST SOCIAL EVENT OF THE YEAR AT FIRST UU SEPTEMBER 16, 2006 FUNDRAISER AUCTION 6:00 P.M….PASTA BAR DINNER $5.00 PERSON;$10.00 FAMILY DOOR PRIZES! RAFFLE! SILENT AUCTION BARGAINS! NOISY AUCTION BIDDING START THINKING NOW ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION *contact Miren Beristain or Doddie Stone for ways to help with your participation
Sinkford Lobbies House of Representatives on Marriage Amendment (July 12 - Washington, DC) UUA President William G. Sinkford was one of five religious leaders who yesterday called on members of the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment. Sinkford participated in a morning briefing for staff from the House of Representatives on the role of religious liberty in the U.S. Constitution and other issues raised by the proposed amendment. As the only denominational president at the morning briefing, Rev. Sinkford gave the concluding speech. Speaking to a packed room of Congressional staff, Sinkford drew on both the historic role of Unitarian Universalism and on his own personal experience: "Within Unitarian Universalism, we know from our own experience the many blessings that gay and lesbian people bring to our congregations and communities. We know from our lived experience in religious community that differences of faith, of race and of sexual orientation need not divide us, that diversity within the human family can be a blessing and not a curse. Unitarian Universalists affirm that it is the presence of love and commitment that we value. For Unitarian Universalists, it is homophobia that is the sin, not homosexuality. Unitarian Universalists stand on the side of love... "I ask you: what does this amendment do to help couples that are struggling, more likely than not, with financial problems? What does this amendment do to help families who can't find housing or health insurance, for people struggling with addiction? Would this amendment do anything—any single thing—other than discriminate against a group of deserving families, singling them out as worthy of less support than other families? No. The result of passing this amendment would be discrimination. It would be the creation of second-class citizenship, which is something I know a little about. "As an African American living in the United States, I know all too well what second-class citizenship can feel like. It was not so long ago that Congress and the Courts were deciding what rights I should have. Without the just application of law to all people, regardless of race, I might still be drinking from segregated fountains rather than serving as the first black President of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Were it not for the Supreme Court's 1967 in the case of Loving v. Virginia—so aptly named—I might not been able to marry my wife, who is white. Imagine what would have happened if, later in 1967, the U.S. had approved a Constitutional Amendment banning interracial marriage? Imagine how destructive that would have been for our nation, if, rather than accepting the Court's decision, we had written a whole group of people out of our Constitution, simply for loving people of a different skin color? Simply because of our prejudice?..." In closing, Rev. Sinkford made clear the hypocrisy of the upcoming vote in Congress on this issue: "...No one expects this amendment to pass, because its consideration is not about what the amendment says, but what it does: scapegoat a group of American families in the service of electoral politics. And while some Representatives may see this as a free vote, without consequences, I see it differently. I see it not as a free vote, but a vote about freedom. A vote that requires Representatives to choose which side to stand on—the side of rashly amending the Constitution for electoral gain, or the side of upholding the integrity of the Constitution and the dignity of all Americans. I urge you to oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment." COMMUNITY EVENTS Wednesday, August 2 – Family Film Festival – Presented by and at the Indiana Theater located at 683 Ohio Street. The 2^nd annual free family film festival has two show times this year. One at 10:00 a.m. and one at 2:00 p.m... For information call 812-232-8076 Wednesday, August 2 – Baesler’s Cookout for Boy Scouting – The Meadows shopping Center, corner of 25^th and Poplar will be the site for this annual event. Local Boy Scouts will be cooking lunch and dinner in a fund raiser that supports local scouting programs, local camps and administrative offices. Each $5.00 meal consists of a grilled hot dog or bratwurst sandwich, potato salad, chips a cookie and soft drink. There will also be skills demonstrations, a car show, entertainment and community displays. Saturday, August 5 – Terre Haute Community Band – Summer Concert Series, Music, the Universal Language - The location is Fairbanks park amphitheater, admission is free. Tuesday August 8 – Brown Bag at the Library - Located at the Vigo County Library, 7^th and Poplar Streets. Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of Sisters of Providence of Saint-Mary-of-the –Woods will be portrayed by Sister Ann Casper. Friday, August 11, 12, 18, & 19 – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Dinner Theater – Four performances at the St. George Social Center. Each performance will be preceded by a “sumptuous” dinner. Tickets are $35.00. for more information call 812-232-5244. The deadline for the September Newsletter is Tuesday, August 22. Please send your news items to the editor, Carolyn Brown, at uuputer@yahoo.com or drop it by the church office. FROM:_____________________________________________________________________ First Unitarian Universalist Congregation Located at: 1875 S. Fruitridge Avenue Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3070 Terre Haute, IN 47803-3070 TO: